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Thursday, June 14, 2012

Basic French Bebe Training

Yesterday's post on 'Stripe Training' got me thinking about Basic French Training in general. Most French cultural ways are instilled in infancy if not sooner IMHO. Like the essential wearing of trench coats for example.

The fine arts of pastry indoctrination begins as soon as little hands can grasp a crayon.

As explained in Bringing Up Bebe, French children bake every weekend. I tried this in hopes of a bit of regression therapy, but my cake was a mess and I did NOT wait to eat it at 'gouter'/snack time (4:30 PM). So both the arte of waiting and baking were completely lost on moi. 'You can't go home again' as Thomas Wolfe said, especially if France wasn't your home to begin with.

Lecon learned - no more weekend baking for me.

Let's hope I do a better job of it and can catch up to this savvy kidlets.

On to more serious training like the wearing ofthe French scarf. You can pick up a lot about what makes the French tick if you just lower your eyes to 3-foot level in my opinion.

Since everyone desperately wants to be French (or at least 95% of us) consider looking down at the French kiddies instead of running off to Ave. Montagne and Dior.

At a recent book fair an editor told me she'd just spent 6 months in Paris and French moms did NOT participate in sandbox activities at all. Instead they were off on a bench chatting. Clearly she had not read Bringing Up Bebe nor had her child had 'sand training' to develope the sense of touch and taste.

Clearly I won't be getting any review copies from her in the near future either, ahem.

May I suggest a visit toIl Etait Une Fois..5, rue Casette 75006 or any other any other kid's toy or clothing store. Rue Vavin is another good place to get your Basic French Training.

Wonderful post today! Merci! I am getting quite a full book case ,everytime you name a book,I have to have it. I have loved all of them. Re; weekend baking,I finally tried my hand at making Macarons!!! The first was a disaster because the powdered sugar I borrowed from a neighbor was BAD!!! Living rural is funny that way, no stores are open at night. 14 mile round trip to get sugar and Igrabbed the wrong box. (granulated) haha. SO with my son helping & doing all the clean up I now understand how large a kitchen one needs to spread out & do all the steps. 2nd time we did better. yum! I will never have macs that look like Lauduree.They almost all cracked but the taste was Great.Maybe we need to stripe them? Thanks for the inspiration.xo fan from Rural Oregon

The watercolors have arrived. Think they are fabulous!!!!I couldn't be happier. Was going to save them for Christmas-but I can'tPossibly. Just love them! Thank you so much. Love William and Lillie onyour sight on Etsy.You are a very tAlented lady-and super efficient.Love my babies in Carol Gillott watercolors.Thanks so much/Norma

Hello This is my 1st comment. (I've been enjoying your blog for a long time though)Have you read "French Kids Eat Everything" by Karen Le Billon? It's similar to Bebe (which is titled "French Children Don't Throw Food" here in the UK, btw)and a pleasure to read for non-mothers too.

Thanks TomokotI've looked it over and found it interesting indeed. I find 'French Kids Don't...' reaches a more overall clarification of the whys and ways of French culture in general for me at least. It changed my experiences in France because I became more aware of the nuances of French politesse perhaps.

I really like the colors you use in your watercolors. They are so " macarons and gelato" and love the bebes. Would you please share the watercolor paints you use in your palette, and the brand ( Winsor Newton, Daniel Smith ????). If you don't wish to, I understand.

In the fall I'll be in Paris and will check out the art supply shops there and, most likely, will purchase something (many things).

By the way, due to your Paris Breakfast's recommendaiton, I'm reading and thoroughly enjoying "Tout Sweet".Germaine

Hi Germaine,I use Winsor & Newton like everyone else.Nothing fancy - mostly your basic colors from my teacher, David Dewey's book, THE WATERCOLOR BOOK.Brt Sienna, Yell ochre, brt umber cobalt blue cerulean French blue etc.I've been painting 20 years, so it has more to do with experience than a particular color palette.Everyone should find their own colors IMHO that suit them best.CheersCarolg

Always a pleasure to read and LOOK.For food France is truly amazing but French dressing is chic? I don't see it on the street so much; I see much more style on the streets of Rome. It's 'leçon' I think. The cedilla under the c changes the sound from c = cat to s = silly. I just noted in a French novel I am reading the word 'les sons' = the sounds. I'll bet that's where we get our word 'lessons' from. Thanks for your great items of interest and entertainment. Gwendoline. Australia.

Not having read the book, I am a little confused about "sand training" - are French moms supposed to play "in the box"? (I confess that all I ever did on the playground was pushing the little ones on the swing, sitting in the sandbox never even crossed my mind.)

It implies letting kids play by themselves, amuse themselves with simple things developing independence. In the book the author goes to the playground loaded with a bag of toys and books. The Fr moms bring a ball or less and leave the kiddies to figure it out and socialize with the other moms.c'est comme caRead the book - very interesting on manny issues IMHO

Thank you, Carol, that is wonderful news:I AM A FRENCH MOM! Yoohoo! :-)The only thing I ever did on the playground was pushing my sweet little ones on the swing. My kids would have been aghast if I had tried to join them in the sandbox! ;-)

ParisBreakfast Letters

♥carol gillott♥

l'Ile Saint Louis, Paris, Ile de France, France

Hi I'm Carol Gillott,
My Mom taught me watercolors at 5. I'm still at it but now tripping over cobblestones on l'Ile Saint-Louis In Paris. Savor Parisbreakfast with a hot chocolate and croissant.
I paint Paris dreams.